CALENDAR - The Underfashion Club
Transcription
CALENDAR - The Underfashion Club
N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E U N D E R FA S H I O N May 2006 C L U B, I N C. Issue Number 3 CALENDAR Wednesday, May 24 at 10 am 152 Madison Avenue – Suite 1002 Underfashion Club Annual Membership Meeting. For additional information, please contact the UFC Office at 845-758-6405. TABLE OF CONTENTS CALENDAR 1 Wednesday, June 7 Underfashion Club Seminar: Fall 2007/08 Lingerie Trends at The CUNY Graduate Center For additional information, please contact the UFC Office. PROFILE 2–3 INTERN INSIGHTS 4–5 Market Week July 31– August 4 STUDENT DESIGN CONTEST WINNERS 4–5 Wednesday, August 2 Intimate Apparel Council FIT CURRICULUM 6 INTIMATE NEWS: LIGHTWEIGHT BRAS 7 Presentation by Robert Skinner, President & Chief Executive Officer, Kellwood Company. For additional information, please contact Mary Howell at 703-797-9045. Market Week October 31– November 3 CONGRATULATIONS TO: JOHN-PAUL BROGAN OF MAGIC LINK – NEW YORK winner of a $25 Victoria’s Secret gift certificate for correctly guessing the address of our architectural detail: Wednesday, November 1 Intimate Apparel Square Club H.U.G. Award Dinner For additional information, please contact the IASC Office at 845-758-5752. Intimate Apparel Council Presentation by Marshal Cohen, Chief Industry Analyst,The NPD Group. For additional information, please contact Mary Howell. 183 MADISON AVENUE 1 N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E U N D E R FA S H I O N C L U B, I N C . May 2006 PROFILE: Betsey Johnson B etsey was born in Connecticut and spent her childhood in dance classes. Her aspirations to be a dancer and her love for costumes laid the foundation for Betsey’s creativity and inspiration, which is still evident in her designs today. In 1964, Betsey officially entered the New York fashion scene by winning Mademoiselle magazine’s “Guest Editor Contest.” One year later, she landed the top designer position for Paraphernalia, a clothing boutique that at the time housed the hottest young London designers, including Mary Quant and Tuffin and Foale, among others. What would soon become known as Betsey’s trademark look began its formulations here: sexy silhouettes, hippie inspired flowing fabrics, whimsical detailing and, most importantly, a fabulous fit. N ew York designer Betsey Johnson has built her long-standing career in fashion by following her own set of rules. Known for her celebration of the exuberant, the embellished, and the over the top, Betsey has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique and original designs since the 1960’s. Her commitment to remain true to her one-of-a-kind vision has afforded Betsey continued success in an industry known for its fickleness. Her ability to change with the times while keeping her designs pure has not gone unnoticed. At the 1999 CFDA Awards, Betsey was presented The Timeless Talent Award created especially for her, which recognized her influence on fashion throughout her career. Now firmly part of what was considered the “Youth Quake,” Betsey soon found herself in the unforgettable 1960’s Warhol scene. Edie Sedgwick was her house model, while the Velvet Underground’s John Cale took to wearing her designs both on-stage and off. In 1969, Betsey began her foray into retail by opening a new boutique called Betsey Bunki Nini. Directly following the opening store, Betsey was offered a job from Alvin Dunskin in San Francisco and thus began living a bi-coastal life for the remaining years of the 60’s. Along with the new decade came new career opportunities for Betsey and in the early 1970’s, she came into creative control of the label Alley Cat, a label which set the trends for the 70’s rock n’ roll clothing, with bohemian and ethnic styles. In 1972, along with Halston, Betsey won the coveted Coty Award becoming the youngest designer to ever receive the honor. After a decade of designing for other labels, Betsey decided to make a dramatic change in her life and in 1978, she formed a partnership with Chantal Bacon and started the Betsey Johnson label, as it is known today. Designing for herself allowed Betsey the creative freedom to execute her vision to it’s fullest potential. The same year Betsey and Chantal launched their first retail store in the heart of Soho. In the early 80’s, they were one of the first to open a store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, helping the street to gain its worldwide recognition as one of the best shopping areas of the 1980’s. Today there are over forty-five Betsey Johnson stores worldwide. International expansion came in 1998 with the opening of the wildly popular London store and in 1999 the Vancouver store opened its doors. Toronto opened in early September 2003 and Honolulu, Hawaii debuted in September 2004 in the luxury mall of Ala Moana. Betsey Johnson clothing is also available in better department stores as well as in over 1000 specialty stores throughout the country, and in Europe and Japan. In April 2005, Betsey opened her very first franchise store in Dubai, which boasts the largest shopping center in the Middle East. Continued on page 3. 2 N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E U N D E R FA S H I O N C L U B, I N C . May 2006 Continued from page 2. The year 2003 marked some exciting licensing endeavors for the company, taking Betsey’s signature prints and whimsy to new audiences with categories including shoes and lingerie. She continued this trend and has since added handbags, belts, cold weather accessories, eyewear, watches, jewelry, swimwear, and home thus effectively emerging as not only a clothing designer but a top American Lifestyle brand. In late 2002, Betsey was honored with an induction into the Fashion Walk of Fame, honoring her contribution to American fashion. A bronze and granite plaque containing an original sketch, signature and biography was embedded into Seventh Avenue sidewalk in early 2003. In March 2005, the Signature Awards and NAWBO-NYC committee honored Betsey with the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award. Following that, Betsey received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Accessories Council in November 2005. And, on May 15 of this year, Betsey was named “Designer of the Year” at the American Apparel and Footwear Association’s American Image Awards Dinner. “Making clothes involves what I like… color, pattern, shape and movement… I like the everyday process…the people, the pressure, the surprise of seeing the work come alive walking and dancing around on strangers. Like red lipstick on the mouth, my clothes wake up and brighten and bring the wearer to life… drawing attention to her beauty and specialness…her moods and movements … her dreams and fantasies.” – Betsey Johnson In 2003, while on vacation in Mexico, Betsey bought a magical little hotel, which she named “Betseyville” and proceeded to turn it into a dream vacation home, where she regularly visits to work and get inspired. She fell so in love with the culture and surroundings that in 2004, Betsey purchased a second house in Mexico, this one dubbed “Villa Betsey.” Always loving a home project Betsey decided to turn Betseyville back into a hotel and is currently re-doing Villa Betsey to become her main home in Mexico. Both homes abound with Betsey’s signature touches and “Betseyville” was exclusively featured in In Style Homes in April 2005. A survivor of breast cancer, Betsey continues to be a strong advocate in the fight against the disease, making public appearances, participating in numerous fund raising events and creating one-of-a-kind items that have been auctioned off to raise funds for various charities. In 2003, the CFDA asked her to be an Honorary Chairperson for the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer initiative, which she graciously accepted. In April of 2004, she was awarded another honor by the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) for her continuous fight against Breast Cancer at a prestigious ceremony hosted by Ron Perlman. In Spring of 2004, she teamed up with Geralyn Lucas, the author of the book “Why I Wore Lipstick...to my Mastectomy,” designing an accompanying t-shirt which was launched in Betsey Johnson stores nationwide in October 2004 at a series of events called “Courage Nights.” Courage Night continued for its second year in October 2005 where CFDA Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and SELF Magazine joined the cause. Betsey Johnson, both the woman and the label, is constantly moving forward and continues to keep a strong foothold in the fashion industry with no signs of letting up anytime soon. Her love of detail and design is evident in everything she does in life and in business, and her enthusiasm, creativity and boundless talent that have kept her at the forefront of fashion for the past 30 years will keep Betsey going for years to come. As one journalist recently quoted, “If Betsey Johnson didn’t exist, we would have to invent her, simply to remind ourselves that fashion can be fun. She’s the original wild child and set to paint the town pink!” ■ 3 N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E U N D E R FA S H I O N C L U B, I N C . May 2006 INTERN INSIGHTS SAIG kicked off the 2006/2007 Scholarship and 2006 Summer Internship season with a seminar held at FIT on March 9, 2006. Tina Wilson,Vice President of Design at Carole Hochman also spoke and explained her path from Parsons to her present position and some of the career choices available in Intimates. An enthusiastic, responsive audience of about forty students attended from the Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising Management, Production Management and Patternmaking Technology curricula. All were interested in the potential of receiving one of approximately 11 scholarships and/or 19 internships. Janet Malecki, past UFC president and current FIT professor of Fashion Merchandising spoke regarding the many opportunities in that segment of our business. Two current FIT students who have been internship and scholarships awardees, Mary Ntiri and Morgan Oughton, spoke about the valuable, broadening experience of internships and urged students to "Ask questions!" Both also thanked the UFC for their scholarships without which they may not have been able to continue their studies. Two former students (and past SAIG winners) now working in the industry, Ali Iamartino of Dana-Co and Elissa Decker of Carole Hochman Designs, Inc. talked of the possibility of internships leading to rewarding full time employment. FIT was represented by Colette Wong, Assistant Chair of the Fashion Design Department, Amy Mato, a counselor at FIT's Internship Center and Mina Friedman from the Financial Aid Office. Several Underfashion Club board members were on hand to lend their support, including Roz Harte who was given a warm round of applause when it was announced that she is in our business for 60 years! Companies interested in sponsoring a paid internship or in additional scholarship opportunities should contact the Underfashion Club office by phone at 845-758-6405 or by email at [email protected]. ■ 2006 Student Design Contest Winner Rael Cohen At the Femmy Gala on February 28, Rael Cohen was chosen by the event attendees as this year’s Student Design Contest Winner. Rael is 22 years old and currently a senior at FIT. She is an Underfashion Club scholarship recipient and will be finishing her BFA with a concentration in Intimate Apparel this May. Rael has a particular love of corsetry and foundations, and hopes to work for a company based out of New York or Buenos Aires, which focuses on these areas of production. Continued on page 5. 4 N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E U N D E R FA S H I O N C L U B, I N C . May 2006 Continued from page 4. The winners of the 2006 Student Design Contest, whose theme was “Luxurious and/or Exotic Locations.” were from left to right: First Place – Rael Cohen (Dubai, United Arab Emirates); Second Place – Athena Wrann (Henley on Thames, England);Third Place – Lorraine Wladessa (Monte Carlo, Monaco) Mary Ntiri Titian Rutkin Donna Tsui Morgan Oughton Teresa Lundy Yoon Jeong Bang Kirsi Ceballos PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREI JACKAMETS • HARDSHADOW.COM Additional FIT students who competed 5 N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E U N D E R FA S H I O N C L U B, I N C . May 2006 FIT TO LAUNCH NEW CURRICULUM FOR A CHANGING INDUSTRY BY COLETTE L. WONG, Assistant Chair, Associate Professor, Fashion Design, FIT S tarting this Fall, there will be a fundamental change in how Intimate Apparel students are educated at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. For the last six to eight years, FIT’s fashion design department has been undergoing a re-tooling of its world famous AAS 2-year fashion design degree and the total revamping of the BFA degree program. With constant change in the industry and the import trade, the job of designer in today’s world is vastly different than just a few years ago. With a proper industry education becoming crucial to success, emphasis must be placed on those elements that best prepare a design student for the challenges they and the industry will face in the future. Students need to be proficient in a variety of computer software, have more hands-on experience, and develop better presentation skills before they join the work force. We believe our new curriculum choices will address these needs and produce well-rounded and knowledgeable designers. The new program will start in the 5th semester of the BFA program with all fashion design students taking classes in common. Students will be offered related classes of business and production in the major area of knit design as well as “cut and sew” knowledge. They will begin their advanced art skill with a new class, “The 20th Century Designer”, as well as receive intensive computer technology training. Students will also be given the opportunity to sign up for their chosen track (primary focus) for the remaining 3 semesters. These tracks will include: Sportswear/Performance, Knitwear, Special Occasions, Childrenswear and Intimate Apparel. The students choosing Intimate Apparel will be treated to a 6th semester offering an Introduction to the Intimate Apparel Industry, control wear design, sewing techniques and art skills. The 7th semester will concentrate on foundation design with a professional fitting class to teach students about fit.They will take a grading and pattern making class on foundations, and produce a comprehensive portfolio of sleepwear, lounge, daywear and foundation designs The creative work will carry forward to their 8th semester Senior Collection work.The culmination of their studies in Intimate Apparel will be the production of a Collection that will be showcased in a professional runway fashion show. Along with this work, students will be producing in the E-portfolio class a digital resume and portfolio to help them in their job search. The all important industry experience will be realized with the required 10 hour Internship class, by which students will be placed with a company and get a first hand look at the industry. A key step in implementing the new program involves reaching out to industry professionals willing to help teach some of the new curriculum. Possibly someone like YOU! Not a full time job mind you, but a few hours a week for 15 weeks. We will need a variety of designers, pattern makers, foundation and control wear specialists, experienced artists and artisans with comprehensive knowledge of the current industry to help us prepare future generations of intimate apparel professionals. With your help and support of the new program, we can continue to provide our industry with fresh, young talented designers. ■ 6 N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E U N D E R FA S H I O N C L U B, I N C . May 2006 INTIMATE NEWS BY EDGAR TRINIDAD, on behalf of RadiciSpandex Corporation “Lightweight” Bras Pack a Profitable Punch T hese days it’s a compliment to be called a lightweight in the intimate apparel market, at least when it comes to the bras you make. High-tech bras that promise the ultimate experience in nearweightless comfort are popping up all over the market, from department stores to specialty chains to the mass channel. Driven by the constant demand for innovation in an increasingly technical category, the newest intimates are hitting retail with a decidedly futuristic spin. Not surprisingly, the first brand to make a high-profile splash with a lightweight line was Victoria’s Secret. Armed with a multimilliondollar advertising budget, America’s most prolific lingerie marketer unveiled IPEX with a carefully orchestrated rollout campaign timed to launch the very day the product hit the retail floor. Victoria’s Secret deviated slightly from its customary “come hither” advertising with a tagline that trumpeted IPEX as “The World’s Most Advanced Bra.” Victoria’s Secret wasn’t alone in pushing the lightweight trend. VF Corporation’s Vassarette brand introduced the concept at mass stores with the BodyCurves UltraLights Collection, which was hyped as Sexy Fun intimates with “High Fashion Low Weight.” At the department store level, brands such as Wacoal and Maidenform have introduced their versions of the ultimate bra — the iBra and the Dream Bra, respectively. Wacoal’s iBra touts its “Ultracomfort” based on what it doesn’t have — it is seamless, stitchless and tagless with a minimalist silhouette.The Dream Bra, meanwhile, is presented as the embodiment of Maidenform’s dream-themed magazine campaign with ads showing a goddess-like model posed in a pristine, white setting. Ad copy highlights a smooth contour under clothes and stretchto-fit comfort. It’s telling that the Dream bra is showcased in white, which remains a top-selling color. In fact, makers are striving to achieve the lightest shade of white possible according to RadiciSpandex Sales Manager Kim Hall. “We’ve noticed an uptick in customer requests for our S17B fiber,” notes Hall. “It has optical brighteners that result in a fabric with a cleaner white, which is what brands are looking for in these new, very modern bra lines. Since the bras are more functional, styling is kept to a minimum and colors are pure and very wearable.” Consumers can expect to see more ethereal intimates coming their way, as the superlight trend shows no signs of abating. Maidenform has already announced plans to roll out this year a lightweight product called, appropriately enough, the Lite Collection. And, in response to consumer demands for white underwear that maintains its whiteness, even after repeated washings, Invista has developed Super White Lycra ®, a new white elastane for superior whiteness durability in intimates, including moulded garments. ■ 7